, Author at Honeybee Homes, LLC | We Buy and Sell Grand Rapids Real Estate

3 Things a 4:00 AM Showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens Taught Me About Buying Houses in Grand Rapids

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Two days ago, my brother called and asked me: “What are you doing at 4:00 AM on Friday?”

Me: “Um… sleeping? Yep. Definitely sleeping.”

Bro: “No you’re not.”

Which, is how you wind up seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens at 4:00 AM on opening day. And as I reflect on the experience, I realize there are a lot of lessons to be learned, and connections to buying houses in Grand Rapids. And don’t worry… no spoilers ahead!

1. The experience is only as good as the people you’re with.

I saw Star Wars with two of my brothers. Because we live in different cities, we picked a central location for the movie. This led me to set an alarm for 2:30 AM… enough time for a quick shower, a gallon of coffee, and arrival at the theater with 3 whole minutes to spare. Continue reading “3 Things a 4:00 AM Showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens Taught Me About Buying Houses in Grand Rapids” →

4 Apartment ‘Extras’ You NEED to Check in Grand Rapids

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When apartment hunting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Some days, it seems like there are 1,000 properties available, and it’ll be impossible to pick the right one. Other days, it looks like nothing good is on the market!

First, it’ll be okay. You will find a place.

Secondly, work hard to find the right apartment in Grand Rapids. Don’t just count of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage before signing the lease. Keep an eye out for these unexpected twists, and you’ll be on the right track.

1. Neighbors

When searching for an apartment, we tend to be pretty focused on the units themselves. Are they the right size? Are there enough kitchen cabinets? Is there room for our dining room table?

These are good questions, and they are important. However, don’t forget the ‘extras’ that come with apartment living. Continue reading “4 Apartment ‘Extras’ You NEED to Check in Grand Rapids” →

7 Great Reasons to Invest in Real Estate

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When you’re building for your financial future, you have a ton of choices about what to do with your money. You can invest in the stock market, help build businesses, purchase commodities, or bury treasure chests in your backyard. The options seem endless!

We would like to make a case for real estate. While every option has its advantages and disadvantages, there are a TON of reasons to seriously consider investing in land, buildings, and homes. Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Flexibility

First, there are many, many ways to invest in real estate. Most people think they can choose to either A) flip houses (thanks HGTV!) or B) become a landlord. While these are popular, and potentially profitable, options, your choices don’t end there. Continue reading “7 Great Reasons to Invest in Real Estate” →

4 Things to Expect from a Title Company in Grand Rapids

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Congratulations! It’s time to close on your house! Whether you are buying or selling, this is an exciting time. One of your next steps is to get the agreement to a title company. But what does a title company do in Grand Rapids? What should you expect, and what is with all of those fees?

1. Title Search

First, the title company will do a thorough search of your property’s history. They will look for the chain of ownership, and check the transactions when the house was bought or sold. In addition, the company will make sure that all documents have the proper signatures in place.

If anything is missing, the title company will tell you about it, so you can work to remedy the problem.

They will also check for liens on the property. These could be from back taxes, unpaid contractor bills, or a missing signature on an old document. In Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, these issues will need to be fixed before you can close on the house. Continue reading “4 Things to Expect from a Title Company in Grand Rapids” →

Why Should You Get a Home Inspector in Grand Rapids?

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Home inspections are one of the most crucial elements of buying a home. However, many people skip, gloss over, or rush through the process. This can be a major mistake!

Quality home inspectors in Grand Rapids have saved us a ton of time, money, and headaches over the years. To illustrate, this point, we wanted to share some of the good, the bad, and the ugly we’ve had with home inspections. Learn from our mistakes and lessons, and don’t repeat them yourself!

1. The Good

When we were first starting to work with houses, inspections seemed like a big cost and hassle. They cost anywhere from $200-$500, and most of the time didn’t reveal anything major.

One day, we came across a nice looking house in a good neighborhood. It needed some updating, but other than that, the place seemed fine. Our first instinct was to skip the inspection entirely, and save money in the process. Continue reading “Why Should You Get a Home Inspector in Grand Rapids?” →

4 Tips to Sell Your House Fast During a Michigan Winter

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Winter is finally here.

After a very nice, pleasant autumn in Grand Rapids (and Michigan overall), the snow has arrived. Hopefully, you’re looking forward to sledding, cocoa, and holiday time with family.

However, if you’re trying to sell your house fast, this can be a stressful time. After all, who buys a house in a Michigan winter?

Fear not. There ARE fewer buyers in the winter months, but also fewer sellers. So if you need to get your home sold quickly, you can still get good results. What are the keys to a successful home sale in the winter?

1. Access and Ease

When potential buyers visit a house for sale, they want to see a comfortable place. They want to feel safe in the area, and to choose a place they can call home. Continue reading “4 Tips to Sell Your House Fast During a Michigan Winter” →

How to Estimate House Value in Grand Rapids (without MLS Access)

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Whether you’re looking to purchase your own home or an investment property, it is crucial to properly estimate a house’s value. This number is the starting point for all of your analysis and negotiations, so you need to get it right!

But what if you don’t have access to the MLS? If you are not working with a realtor, it can be hard to find the data you need in a quick, easy way. And analyzing the data you DO get can be a challenge. So how do you estimate house value without MLS access in Grand Rapids?

1. Understand the Neighborhood

Start by collecting data on houses in your target area. If you know you would like to buy in a certain neighborhood or part of town, drive around! See what is for sale, and then find the list price. Check what kinds of amenities it has, in addition to the square footage, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

If you’re able to find 10 or more houses for sale in a given area, you can start to get a feel for prices and features in that area. For instance, you might learn that $100,000 can get you a big house with a nice yard in one area, and a shoebox in another. Continue reading “How to Estimate House Value in Grand Rapids (without MLS Access)” →

3 Real Estate Sites You Should Use (That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of)

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There are many great real estate sites online. First, there are the usual suspects. Sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, FSBO.com, ForSaleByOwner.com, and more. But the internet is vast… there are a lot more quality sites out there!

So we wanted to shine the light on a few excellent resources that can help you with your home.

1. Rentometer.com

This is a great real estate site for rentals. It is simple and easy to use, and provides local rent numbers for just about everywhere in the country (including Grand Rapids). Why is this useful?

First, if you’re looking for a place to live, this resource can help you figure out if your rent is fair. They provide a nice range of prices, and indicate what is high and low for a given area. You can quickly see if you’re getting a great deal. Continue reading “3 Real Estate Sites You Should Use (That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of)” →

4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Open House Listings in Grand Rapids

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Open houses can be a great experience. You get to check out a nice house in a low-stress environment, and have an opportunity to talk to decision makers at the same time. If you’re in the market for a new home, touring open house listings can be an excellent way to spend an afternoon!

However, you’ll want to make the most of the trip. If you’re seriously considering buying a property, take an extra few minutes and maximize your visit. Here are some key things to remember.

1. Don’t follow the path.

Typically, there is a set path people walk when visiting open house listings. It varies based on the house, but there is a natural ‘flow’ to each property.

Go against the flow! Continue reading “4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Open House Listings in Grand Rapids” →

5 Hidden Costs to Watch Out for in Grand Rapids Real Estate Rentals

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We are fortunate here in Grand Rapids. We have a lot of great housing available, and most of it is fairly priced. However, real estate rentals have some hidden costs that can really blow up your budget,

These extra dollars can really change your month-to-month rental cost. So what should you watch out for before signing your lease?

1. Utility Costs

This is a big one, because it can run you anywhere from a few bucks to several hundred dollars. Be very careful about what utilities you’re paying for, and how they’re measured! Continue reading “5 Hidden Costs to Watch Out for in Grand Rapids Real Estate Rentals” →